HTC joins tablet market with 7-inch Flyer

Taiwan-based smartphone manufacturer HTC has joined the increasingly crowded tablet market with a 7-inch tablet called the Flyer. The device features a 1.5GHz CPU, 1GB of RAM and 32GB of flash storage packed inside an aluminum unibody case. The 7-inch LCD multi-touchscreen sports 1024 x 600 pixels with a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera and 5-megapixel rear-facing camera. Instead of opting for Google’s tablet-centric Android 3.0 (Gingerbread), HTC has gone with a tablet-focused Sense UI over the top of Android 2.4 (Gingerbread) providing a 3D home screen and widgets carousel.

Like most tablets, the Flyer is a touchscreen affair but HTC will also introduce its Scribe technology on the tablet, which recognizes handwriting input via an included stylus. Users will also be able to scribble doodles, sign contracts or write on a web page or photo. The inclusion of a new Timemark feature also allows users to capture audio in line with written notes, which lets users tap a word on the notes and be taken to that exact place in time in the audio recording. It is also the first tablet to come with built-in synchronization with Evernote.

The Flyer also sees the introduction of HTC’s new video download service dubbed HTC Watch and is the first mobile device to integrate OnLive’s cloud-based streaming game service. HTC says this will allow users to play console games directly on the tablet or pipe the OnLive service through the Flyer’s broadband wireless to their TV.

Other specs include HSPA+ connectivity, 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP, GPS, accelerometer, digital compass, microSD expansion slot, micro-USB, ambient light sensor and support for most popular video and audio formats. The rechargeable battery should provide up to four hours of video playback and up to 1,420 hours of standby time. The Flyer measures 195.4 x 122 x 13.2 mm (7.7 x 4.8 x 0.52 in) and weighs 420 g (14.82 oz) with the battery.